Here’s how to practice Mix Vocal Technique:
Students should spend at least a half an hour each day practicing the mix vocal technique learned in voice lessons with Aimee Geddes. It should be one of those things that is just part of the regular routine. Remember, you are training a muscle and without being regularly and properly exercised, all of the technique learned in lessons goes out the window.
Your lesson will be recorded on the Studio iPad, then emailed to you. You may also bring your own device to record on if you prefer.
Listening to and practicing along with your lesson is like getting a lesson every day. Each time the recorded lesson is listened to, something new will be learned or become clear. Singing, like many things, is not something that you can do once and then have it all figured out. You have to keep at it constantly and consistently to make progress. Then the results will come!
Practicing your Mix vocal technique should go something like this:
1. Open your email and open the lesson recording. It will say something like “voice record pro” in the subject line.
2. Don’t worry about any small talk that may have been recorded, but focus on the parts where we get talking about mix vocal technique. Listen to those discussions about technique. They are valuable and the more you listen and think about them, the better you will understand.
3. Do the exercises. Do them right. If time was spent correcting the exercise, listen to the correction and try to do it right. This will increase vocal strength and your ability to conquer challenges in music.
4. Make sure you are in a good place vocally to begin singing. This means if you need to do a few more exercises to feel warm and comfortable, do them. You’ll be glad later on that you did.
5. Sing your song. If you were told to sing it on “mee mee mee” or “mum mum mum,” DO IT that way! If there were specific parts that were worked through in the lesson, go over them before you sing the whole song. Don’t feel like you have to rush the song. Make sure you are singing comfortably through the trouble spots before continuing.
6. Have fun with the song. Now that you are comfortable with the trickier spots, sing your song all the way through. Play with emotional interpretations and story telling. Enjoy your music!
(Note: you may not be able to do this right away. Some weeks you may not get past step 5 and that is ok! Take your time and let your voice develop proper muscle coordination first before you worry too much about performing the song.)
7. Apply your vocal technique as you sing to other music. Try to have the same ease that you feel in your exercises when you sing other songs.
8. That’s it. Have fun and “knock ’em dead!”
Fore more information on Mix Vocal Technique itself, please visit the Technique blog or IVTOM.org to learn more about the International Voice Teachers of Mix of which Aimee Geddes has served on the Board of Directors since 2012.